How the trap works
The door is held open by the rod at the top of the trap that is temporarily attached to the bait hook. When the rodent eats the bait the bait hook moves, the rod drops off the eye on the hook and the door springs closed.
Setting the trap
Attach bait to the hook inside the trap. We recommend crunchy peanut butter as the most effective bait but you can also mix in some bird seed. Nuts, Chocolate, sunflower seeds, corn on the cob, Dynamic lifter, blood & bone, apple or cake also work, or use what you know it likes. Interestingly cheese may work but is not as effective. If peanut butter is not sticking to the hook use some cardboard or cheese to get a firm grip on the hook and paste with peanut butter or other bait.
If it's not your intention to release the catch, simply mix rat poison with the bait or attach a bait block to the hook.
The trap should be positioned where the rodents are known to be active, or where droppings and smells have been found. Rodents tend to run along skirting boards so place the trap close to a wall where you think they travel.
To set the trap:
- Attached to top of the trap is a trip rod. Pivot this rod so that it projects over the edge of the trap
- Open the door with one hand so that the trip rod is inside the extension handle that now lays flat on the trap roof
- Then with the other hand pivot the rod 180 degrees so it lays over the door extension
- The rod will just reach the eye on the top of the bait hook. Carefully insert the rod into the eye and release just enough pressure on the door extension to be sure the door will not snap closed until the rodent eats the bait and springs the door.
Releasing the catch
Now it's time to go for a walk or a drive and be kind to your furry little friends by finding a safe place to release them. A bush area is ideal. We recommend at least 1km away from your house so the animal can't find its way back. Flatten the extension handle against the roof so the door opens.
If you are not having success
Rodents will eat almost anything including cardboard, so food in the trap should work perfectly. However, if you have another food source that is more attractive or easier to get to, the rodent may not be attracted to the trap. Identify the food source and take that source away. Then place some of that food in the trap in same location (if possible) so when the rodent next visits the food will there, but now in the trap.
